Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu held an urgent meeting with members of the provincial executive and key stakeholders to address growing concerns around crime, illegal businesses, undocumented foreign nationals and illegal land occupation in the province.

The meeting focused on the work of various government clusters, including the security cluster, economic cluster and local government sector, as the province moves to strengthen law enforcement, compliance and community safety.

Following the meeting, Ndlovu called on the security cluster to reduce the rate of borderline crime and intensify search operations aimed at identifying undocumented foreign nationals.

“Security Cluster to reduce borderline crime rate. Intensify search operations to identify undocumented foreign nationals,” Ndlovu said.

The Premier also directed the economic cluster to intensify the closure of illegal and unregistered informal businesses. He said government must assess the compliance of shops to reduce the risk of poisonous food outlets.

“Economic cluster to intensify closure of illegal and unregistered informal businesses. Assess the compliance of shops to mitigate the risk of poisonous food outlets,” he said.

Ndlovu further called on the local government sector to enforce compliance with municipal by-laws and take firm action against illegal land occupation.

“Local Government sector to enforce compliance to the by-laws. Eradicate illegal land occupation,” he said.

The meeting took place as the provincial government continues to respond to concerns around cross-border crime, illegal trading, food safety and unlawful occupation of land in communities across Mpumalanga.

The interventions are expected to guide coordinated action by various departments, municipalities and law enforcement agencies.

The provincial government said the measures form part of its commitment to building “a province that works for all”.

This Men’s Health Month, health experts are warning that many people may be living with early-stage heart, kidney and metabolic conditions without knowing it.

New international research shows that early heart dysfunction often goes undiagnosed. This is a worrying reality in South Africa, where hypertension, diabetes and kidney disease are already widespread.

High blood pressure affects nearly one in three South African adults, yet many people are either unaware of their condition or do not have it adequately controlled. This creates a ripple effect, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure and diabetes-related complications.

Men may be especially vulnerable, as they are often less likely to go for routine health checks. Health experts say this reluctance to screen can delay diagnosis and treatment, allowing preventable conditions to become more serious over time.

In South Africa, screening is more accessible than many people realise.

“Blood pressure checks are routinely available at pharmacies, clinics and GP practices,” Singels said.

“Blood glucose and kidney function tests can be done through a simple blood test at public clinics or private laboratories. Many medical schemes also cover annual wellness screenings, while public sector clinics offer these services at low or no cost.”

She said doctors were also changing the way they approach treatment by looking beyond one health problem at a time.

“Rather than focusing on a single issue, like high blood pressure alone, healthcare providers are now targeting the broader cardiometabolic risk profile,” she explained.

“This means addressing blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney health and lifestyle factors together to reduce the overall risk of serious complications.”

According to health experts, detecting these conditions early can greatly reduce the risk of serious complications. Small and consistent lifestyle changes can also have a meaningful impact on long-term health.

Singels recommends that people control their blood pressure, manage blood sugar levels through a diabetic-friendly diet, reduce salt intake, maintain a healthy weight, stay physically active, limit alcohol consumption and avoid tobacco.

Experts say men should not wait until they feel ill before seeking medical advice. Regular screening remains one of the most effective ways to detect health risks early and prevent serious complications.

School safety operation results in drug bust!

The Department of Education has welcomed the successful joint search-and-seizure operation conducted at Cyril Clarke Secondary School in the City of Mbombela Local Municipality this morning.

The operation was carried out through a collaborative effort involving the South African Police Service, the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, the Department of Education, the Department of Correctional Services, the Office of the Provincial Commissioner and the Department of Social Development.

The operation resulted in the discovery and confiscation of various illicit items. It also led to the arrest of individuals allegedly responsible for their possession and distribution.

According to the department, the coordinated intervention demonstrates government’s commitment to creating safe, secure and conducive teaching and learning environments across the province.

The department said the operation further reflects a strengthened integrated approach to school safety following the resolutions of the recent Provincial School Safety Indaba, where stakeholders resolved to intensify efforts to combat crime, substance abuse, violence and other social ills affecting schools.

The department commended all law enforcement agencies and government departments involved for their vigilance and dedication to safeguarding the wellbeing of learners.

It said the success of the operation sends a clear message that criminal activities have no place in schools.

The department also encouraged parents, school governing bodies, communities and learners to continue working closely with authorities by reporting suspicious activities and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting discipline, safety and positive values in schools.

“Together, we can ensure that schools remain centres of learning and opportunity for every child,” the department said.

A 42-year-old police sergeant stationed at the Lebombo Port of Entry has been arrested for alleged corruption following a targeted Hawks operation on Monday, 08 June 2026.

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation said the arrest followed information received through Crime Intelligence about alleged criminal activities at the border post.

According to the Hawks, intelligence suggested that criminal syndicates involved in vehicle theft, car hijackings and vehicle insurance fraud were allegedly working with corrupt law enforcement officials to move stolen and fraudulently obtained vehicles from South Africa into Mozambique.

Investigations revealed that corrupt officials allegedly received payments to allow vehicles to cross the border without interception or arrest. The amounts allegedly varied depending on the type of vehicle involved.

An enquiry was opened and authorisation was obtained to conduct a covert operation.

Members of the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Nelspruit, supported by the Tactical Operations Management Section, Crime Intelligence and surveillance teams, carried out the operation at the Lebombo Port of Entry.

During the operation, the suspect, who was on duty at the time, allegedly accepted a gratification payment from an undercover agent.

The suspect was arrested at the border post and allegedly found in possession of operational funds amounting to R80 000, which were recovered during the arrest.

A corruption case has been registered for further investigation.

The identity of the accused is being withheld pending his first court appearance. He is expected to appear before the Komatipoort Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 10 June 2026.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, said the Hawks remained committed to rooting out corruption within law enforcement structures and ensuring that those who abused positions of trust were held accountable.

He commended the team for their work, saying the arrest should send a stern warning to corrupt officials.

Nelspruit, 08 June 2026 – Police and the SAPS Search and Rescue team are continuing with investigations after two bodies were found trapped inside a white vehicle that had plunged into the Crocodile River in Nelspruit.

Police received a complaint at about 04:00 on Sunday morning, 07 June 2026, about a vehicle that had gone into the river.

The vehicle was reportedly travelling from the direction of the University of Mpumalanga and the KaMagugu intersection when the incident occurred.

Police officers and the SAPS Search and Rescue team arrived at the scene and managed to locate the vehicle, with two bodies trapped inside.

The process of retrieving the bodies was undertaken by the rescue team.

The search for a third victim, whom family members believe was with the two deceased persons, resumed at approximately 09:00 this morning.

The search operation is ongoing, and investigations continue.

More details will be provided as they become available.

The municipality has issued an update to residents regarding the ongoing water supply interruption caused by a faulty transformer at the Inyaka Raw Water Pump Station.

According to the municipality, there was a delay in the delivery of the replacement transformer to the Inyaka Water Treatment Plant after it failed the final insulation test before loading. The test is conducted during the manufacturing stage to ensure that the transformer is safe, functional and ready for transportation, delivery and installation.

The replacement transformer is now scheduled to be delivered to the site today, 7 June 2026, with installation expected to take place tomorrow, Monday, 8 June 2026.

Affected areas include Mapulaneng Hospital, College View, Mphenyatsatsi, Bushbuckridge CBD, Boikhutso, Mountain View, Shatale, Acornhoek, Dwarsloop, Thulamahashe, Marite, Ludlow, Rolle, Agincourt, Shangaan Hill and surrounding areas.

Residents are urged to use water sparingly where supply is still available and to remain patient while work to restore normal supply continues.

The week carries both ripeness and restraint. We are in the light after the Full Moon, when what is hidden becomes easier to recognise, but we are also in a season that teaches stillness. Looking ahead in the heavens, Venus and Jupiter are moving towards a conjunction on 8 and 9 June, so even this week’s quieter days carry the first signs of warmth, favour and softening ahead.

So I listen to the water, I watch the stars, and I say: this is a week for wise reflection. Not every week is for starting. Some weeks are for seeing clearly, correcting gently and keeping what still has truth in it. The water says: after fullness comes discernment.

Aries

Child of fire, this week asks you to lower your voice and sharpen your wisdom. You may want to act quickly, but the water says speed is not always power. A family matter, a private concern or a feeling you have pushed aside may ask for honest attention. At work, do not rush a response. In love, let sincerity speak louder than pride.

Taurus

This week favours steadiness, but not stubbornness. Your words carry more weight than you realise, especially with family, neighbours or people who already trust you. Speak plainly, but with care. Money matters may also need reviewing. The water says peace grows when you stop avoiding small truths. Handle them now, and the road ahead becomes smoother.

Gemini

You may feel pulled between movement and reflection this week. One part of you wants to stay light, while another knows something serious needs attention. Let both truths sit together. Finances, self-worth and personal direction may become clearer now. The water says do not spend energy proving yourself where you are already unseen. Build where you are valued.

Cancer

My child, the week leans towards you. Mercury’s movement into Cancer brings more feeling into the mind and more memory into the heart. You may sense things before they are spoken. Trust that gift, but do not let it become oversensitivity. The water says your intuition is strongest when it is calm. Let your inner voice guide your outer steps.

Leo

This is a quieter week for you than the world may expect. Rest, retreat and honest self-listening will help you more than performance. Something behind the scenes may be shifting, and you do not need to announce every process. The water says not all power is public. Protect your energy and let your spirit recover where it has been stretched too thin.

Virgo

You are likely to feel the need to sort, plan and bring order, and that instinct will help you now. Community matters, friendships and long-term plans may come into sharper focus. Someone may show you whether they are truly with you or merely nearby. The water says let clarity guide your circles. Choose what supports your peace, not only your productivity.

Libra

This week places duty, reputation and direction before you. A work issue or leadership matter may need maturity and balance. Do not bend so much to keep the peace that you lose your own centre. The water says grace is not weakness. Stand in your truth gently, but do not step away from it.

Scorpio

Your spirit wants depth, but this week also asks for perspective. A truth may arrive through learning, travel plans, a spiritual sign or an important conversation. Let it widen you instead of hardening you. The water says not every revelation is meant to wound. Some are meant to be free. Stay open enough to receive what is trying to teach you.

Sagittarius

The light after the Full Moon may stir private feelings, shared matters or questions of trust. Do not laugh away what is serious merely because it makes you uncomfortable. This is a good week to review debts, emotional ties and the promises that still bind you. The water says freedom becomes more real when it is built on truth.

Capricorn

Relationships are under a strong lamp this week. You may see more clearly what another person needs, avoids or brings into your life. Let honesty lead, but do not become cold in the name of being practical. The water says your strength grows when tenderness is allowed to stand beside discipline. Listen carefully before deciding.

Aquarius

This week calls for rhythm, care and sensible correction. Health, work, routine and timing all matter now. If life has felt scattered, this is a good week to restore order in small ways. Do not wait for a dramatic breakthrough. The water says consistency is also a miracle. A few steady acts can shift more than one grand plan.

Pisces

The waters around you are soft but deep this week. Creativity, romance, children or longing may rise more strongly than expected. Let yourself feel, but do not drift without direction. The water says joy also needs protection. Nurture what feeds your spirit and move away from what only confuses your heart.

Gogo Naledi ya Metsi’s message for the week
This is a week of sober clarity. The Moon is waning after Sunday’s Full Moon, and the spirit is being asked to separate emotion from truth and truth from fear. June itself opens in the Southern Hemisphere as winter deepens, while the next bright heavenly promise, the Venus-Jupiter conjunction of 8 to 9 June, is already gathering in the background. The water says: even when the sky grows cold, blessing can still be approaching.

Ancestral blessing for the week
May your heart not fear what it knows.
May your mouth speak with wisdom.
May your hands keep what is worthy.
May your home remain covered in peace.
May the stars guide your winter night.
And may the water carry you gently through all that is becoming clear.

The funding, announced during the Mpumalanga leg of the awards in Mbombela on Thursday, will benefit 20 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across the province.

Held under the theme “Catalysing MSME Growth, Market Access and Economic Participation,” the programme aims to support businesses with strong growth potential while creating opportunities in underserved township and rural communities.

More than 100 MSMEs were selected to participate in this year’s programme following a highly competitive application process. Applications came from various parts of the province, including Delmas, Standerton, Barberton, KwaMhlanga, Secunda, Bushbuckridge and Emalahleni.

The event featured entrepreneurial masterclasses, exhibitions, networking sessions and stakeholder engagements designed to strengthen business skills and improve access to markets.

Hollywood Foundation Public Relations Officer Vuyisile Ngobese said the initiative continues to help entrepreneurs move beyond survivalist operations and build sustainable businesses capable of contributing to economic growth and job creation.

“Entrepreneurs within township and rural economies continue to face barriers relating to market access, business support and growth opportunities. Through the Bambelela Business Awards, we are creating platforms that recognise entrepreneurial excellence and also provide practical support that enables businesses to scale sustainably,” said Ngobese.

Chairperson of the Mpumalanga Economic Development Board, Thando Lamola Shirinda, praised the Hollywood Foundation for its continued investment in local entrepreneurs.

“I commend the Hollywood Foundation for creating and sustaining a platform that not only recognises excellence, but actively invests in the dreams, aspirations and future of township and rural entrepreneurs,” she said.

Shirinda also encouraged aspiring business owners to make the most of available opportunities.

“To our young people in particular, do not underestimate the power of your ideas. The economy of tomorrow will be built by those who are bold enough to imagine differently and brave enough to act,” she added.

The initiative comes as Mpumalanga continues promoting inclusive economic participation, with growing opportunities in agriculture, tourism, trade, services and construction.

Now in its fourth year nationally, the Bambelela Business Awards have invested more than R14 million in MSMEs across South Africa, supporting over 360 businesses through funding, equipment support and enterprise development programmes.

Top Winners

Ezimnandi Poultry Farming Enterprise (Pty) Ltd walked away with the first prize of R145 000.

MPT Farming (Pty) Ltd secured second place and received R115 000, while Bokamoso Training Academy and Projects (Pty) Ltd took third place and won R85 000.

Seventeen runner-up businesses each received R45 000 to support their growth and development.

MPT Farming also won the Facebook Marketing Competition and received an additional R12 500. Fannastars Construction Society won the Early Bird Pitchers Award worth R6 250, while Ezimnandi Poultry Farming Enterprise received R6 250 for the Best Exhibition Stand.

Speaking during the signing ceremony, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Willie Aucamp described the agreement as a major step towards correcting historical injustices suffered by communities who were removed from their land when the Kruger National Park was established.

The ceremony took place just a day before the park’s centenary celebrations, marking 100 years of one of Africa’s most famous conservation areas.

Aucamp said the agreement transforms a painful chapter in South Africa’s history into a story of resilience and restoration.

“Today, we turn the often-sensitive matter of land into a story of victory and resilience. Land is more than just the soil and rocks beneath our feet. It represents bloodlines, legacy and heritage,” he said.

Land claims linked to the Kruger National Park were lodged in the early 2000s. In 2008, the Cabinet recognised the park as a strategic national asset while also supporting the need for fair redress for affected communities.

Negotiations towards the beneficiation agreement officially started in 2012.

Aucamp admitted that the process had been long and painful, with some community members passing away before seeing the outcome.

“Whilst there have been delays, disagreements and legitimate concerns raised by communities, these were not signs of failure. It was a journey of transforming systems that were never designed for all peoples into inclusive systems built on respect and heritage,” he said.

The Beneficiation Scheme aims to ensure communities with successful land claims benefit from economic opportunities created through tourism and conservation activities linked to the park.

According to the Minister, conservation must benefit both nature and people.

“This Beneficiation Scheme affirms that conservation must deliver value not only for biodiversity, but for people,” he said.

He stressed that South Africa’s future conservation model should place communities at the centre.

“The future of conservation in South Africa is one of inclusive stewardship. A model where communities are partners, not spectators. Where benefits are shared. Where development and biodiversity protection reinforce each other.”

Looking ahead to the next 100 years of the Kruger National Park, Aucamp said conservation could no longer reflect the past exclusions.

“It cannot look like the past. It must be a future where conservation is legitimate because it is inclusive,” he said.

He called on SANParks to ensure that the promises made under the agreement translate into real improvements in people’s lives.

“The credibility of this initiative will depend on delivery and partnership with these previously dispossessed communities,” he added.

The agreement forms part of broader efforts to balance conservation, land restitution and economic transformation while ensuring communities living closest to protected areas share in their benefits.